Flush type fire hydrant



March 1l, 1941.

C. H. SCOTT ErAL FLUSH TYPE FIRE HYDRANT Filed Aug. 8, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l /BWSTEEET INVENTORS TTORIVEY March 11, 1941. c. H. SCOTT ETAL musa TYPE FIRE HYDRANT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 8, 1939 mTT n N0 N er NSM n I .S .A

.nnlnfllllillllllllll Patented Mar. 11, 1941 UIT-ED STATES PATENT FFICE FLUSH TYPE FIRE HYDRANT Application AugustS, 1939, Serial No. 288,924

11 Claims.

This invention relates generally to fire hydrants, and more particularly to hydrants no portions of which extend above the level of the sidewallavand which willlhereinafter be referred to as flush type rehydrants.

Our invention has for its aim to overcome the many disadvantages of the oldstyle fire hydrant `which `projects `above the sidewalk and thereby constitutes an obstruction which is a menace to pedestrians, and which is liable to damage by automobiles and is `frequently so damaged. Due toftheir `obstructive nature, these old style hydrants are located away from street corners, and thereby valuable parking space for `automobiles is iost because of Ire department regulations prohibiting parking near a iire hydrant, and again, since snow is frequently allowed to accumulate in these locations (that is,tlocations removed from 3;) street corners, at which `corners snow is never allowed `to accumulate), it frequently happens that the hydrant is covered 'by snow andis inaccessible when urgently needed. Another objection to an exposed hydrant is the danger of c5 freezing.

It is therefore an object of our invention to provide, in a iire hydrant, a construction whereby its uppermost parts will be iiush with the sidewalk y or the street level while its bulk will be below the 3U level of the sidewalk, so that it does not form an obstruction constituting a menace to pedestrians.

It is further an object of our invention to provide, in a fire hydrant, a construction that will assure adequate `protection against the danger of freezing.

It is also an object of our invention to provide a nre hydrant construction that requires no wrenches or tools for its operation; and that is simple, compact, reliable, effective and economical.

It is further an object of our invention to so position our Vimproved hydrant in relation to a sidewalk or other portion of a street that it will interfere little or not at all with the fuse of the street or sidewalk for other purposes, and further to position the hydrant in a place where snow is not allowed to accumulate.`

To attain these objects and such further objects may appear `herein or be hereinafter pointed out, we make reference to the accompanying drawings, forming `a `part hereof, lin which l l Figure 1 isa plan View 'of our improved flush 55 type nre hydrant, showing the covers and valves in closed position and portions being broken away to disclose the underlying construction;

Figure 2 is a transverse section substantially on the line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing the covers and valves ink open position;

Figure 4 is an elevational View illustrative of the connections of our improved ire hydrant to the water main and to the sewer system;

Figure 5 is a pian View illustrative of the preferred location of our improved hydrant relatively to the curb.

In the drawings we have shown at l0 a sump or well, through the bottom ll of which extends a barrel or stock l2, the lower end of which is conneeted to the water main i3, and has mounted on it the inlet water valve I4, while its upper end carries a bonnet or head i5 provided with outlet or discharge openings and valves.

Also extending through the bottom il of the sump lli is a drain pipe IB, leading into the sewer l'l (see Figure 4) and connected to the barrel l2 by a branch or by-pass I8, adapted to be closed by a valve I9.

The walls of the sump Hi are shown as constituted by a casing or box 2i] open at the top and surrounded at its rim by a reinforcing frame 2|, set flush into the sidewalk. Hingedly mountedwon the upper rim of the casing 2i), as at 22, are cover sections 23 and 24, (which may be suitably reinforced by ribs 23o and 2da, respectively), rovided with overlapping portions 25 and 2li, and also with grooves 2l and 28 having overhanging portions 29 and 3D, which are adapted for the insertion of the hand or of a tool for the purpose lio of raising the cover sections 23 and 2li, the porv tions 29 and 3U serving as abutments adapted to be engaged by the hands or by a tool. In order to prevent the accumulation of moisture and other 1 matter in the grooves 2l and 23, we may provide drainage openings 3| therein, through which such matter may drain into the sump from which it will find its way through the pipe I6 into the sewer ll.

It will be observed that the cover sections, as well as the frame 2l, are set flush with the sidewalk, whereby they oier no obstruction or menace to pedestrians. The grooves 2l and 28 are also preferably of such width that they will not constitute a source of danger to pedestrians.

In order to support the cover sections 23 and 24 intheir positions iiush with the sidewalk, we have provided lateral brackets 32, on which the Cover sectionsmay rest. At their ends the brackets 32 are bent downwardly, as shown at 33, so as to be adapted to engage hooks 34 and 35, shown pivotally mounted, as at 36 and 36a on the respective cover sections 23 and 24, when the latter are raised, as shown in Figure 3. To retain the hooks 34 and 35 in such position of engagement, we provide brackets 31 and 38 which preferably are resilient, or at least have resilient nose portions and are mounted on the casing 26 and serve to keep the hooks in engagement with the parts 33.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that when it is desired to open the sump, this will be done by raising the covers 23 and 24 from their position of Figure 2 into that of Figure 3. The hooks 34 and 35 during such raising will have been forced by the brackets 3'I and 38 into engagement with the ends 33 of the bracket 32, so that said hooks and consequently said cover sections 23 and 24 are held in this position.

It will be observed that in Figure 3 the cover sections 23 and 24 are vertically disposed. This is a preferred position, because they then form obstructions serving to warn pedestrians that the sump is open, while at the same time they do not constitute a hazard, as they would if they were laid flat on the sidewalk, or occupied other intermediate positions in which they were not so readily visible.

Mounted on the cover section 23 is a bracket 39 that extends into the sump I9, and pivotally carries at its free end the turnbuckle 49, which at its other end is pivotally connected to a lever or arm 4I, having its fulcrum at one end and constituted by a rock lshaft 42, this end of the lever being shown forked and the two branches of the fork being connected to the respective ends of the rock shaft 42. The latter is journaled in a member 43 constituting a cover for an opening in the side of the barrel I2, and in order to prevent leakage, we have provided stuffing boxes at 44, having packing 45, held in place by glands 46 through which the rock shaft passes.

Fixedly mounted on the rock shaft 42 so as to move therewith, as by means of the clamping arrangement 41 shown, is a crank arm 48, connected by a link 49 through a pivotal connection to the stem 56 of the valve I4. The latter is slidable in a guide I, supported by webs 5Ia in a bushing 52 provided with a valve seat 53, shown as of conical conformation, on which the valve head of valve I4 is adapted to seat. The valve head is shown as comprising a collar 54, carried by the valve stem 59, and a flanged disk 55, between which is clamped in any suitable or preferred manner, a gasket 56 of compressible material, such as rubber or leather, which, when in engagement with the valve seat 53 will serve to make a leak-proof joint.

The bushing 52 is shown as threaded into the neck of a flange 51 that is interposed between the barrel I2 and the elbow 58 attached to the end of the water main I3. It will be observed that by applying a tool that engages the webs Sla of bushing 52, the latter may be removed, together with the valve I4, without disturbing the barrel I2, it merely being necessary to remove the bonnet I5 and to use a tool having a sufciently long handle. The advantages of this construction for purposes of inspection will be at once apparent.

It will now be clear that when the cover section 23 is raised, the linkage system just described will cause the valve head to move down and away from the seat 53, thereby opening the valve and admitting water from the main I3 into the barrel I2.

The valve I9 comprises a bushing 59 provided with a valve seat 69 on which is adapted to seat the head 6I of the Valve I9, which may Ibe of a construction similar to that described for the head of the valve |4. The bushing 59 is also provided with a guide portion 62 for the valve stem 63 on which .the valve hea-d 6I is mounted, and these parts are removable without disassembliing the hydrant by inserting a tool through the drain I6 in the manner `described in connectio-n with the valve I4.

'Pivotally joined 'to the valve stern 63 is a link 64 having its upper end 65 passing slidably through a block 66, pivotally carried by the lever 4I at an intermediate point thereof. The sliding movement of the link end portion 65 relatively to the lblock 66 may 'be limited by means such as nuts 61 and 68 carried by the end portion 65, which is threaded for that purpose. The nuts 61 and 68 are shown arranged in pairs, whereby a locknut action is obtained.

It will now be `clear that the arrangement just described may be used to permit a movement between predetermined limits of the lever 4I re1- atively 'to the link 64, but when these limits are exceeded they will move together. The purpose of this arrangement is to cause a lag in the operation `of the valve I9 relatively to the valve I4 which is necessary to limit the time interval during which both valves are `simultaneously 'open and .the water main I3 discharges directly into the sewer.

For example, with the parts in the position of Figure 2, if the cover section 23 be raised, the valve I4 will be opened, but the valve I9 will not commence to m'ove intoits closing position until some time afterward, so .that water from the main may flow through the by-pass I8 linto the sewer for a brief interval of time. This will serve to clear away any ice that may have formed, and will prepare the hydrant for its operative position shown .in Figure 3, in which the cover section 23 is in its vertical position and the valve I4 is open to its maximum extent, while the valve I9 is closed, Without wasting too much water.

On moving the cover from its position of Figure 3 to that of Figure 2, the reverse action takes place, namely the valve I4 begins to move into its closed posit-ion while the valve I9 remains closed for a time and only opens as the valve I4 approaches its seat to cut olf the water main I3. There is consequently again -a brief flushing action before the valve I4 closes. When the latter event .takes place it will be observed that the drain pipe I6 keeps the sump I9 drained, while vthe by-pass I8 will keep the barrel I2 drained, through its connection with the drainpipe I6.

It is to be observed that our invention contemplates such dimensions for our fire hydrant that the valves I4 and I9 are positioned below the frost level. 'For example, if the maximum frost level is seven feet below the surface, the valves I4 and I9 may 'be located at least eight feet below the surface. The sewer dra-in pipe I6 may surround the Ibarrel I2, in-which case it would aot as an insulator for the latte-r and serve as a protection against freezing.

While obviously our fire hydrant may be positioned with advantage almost anywhere, we have found the position shown in Figure 5 in plan Ito be particularly advantageous. In this ed on said rock shaft, a linkage connecting said arm and said valve whereby said valve may be opened or closed, a second arm xedly mounted on said rock shaft, and means connecting said arm and said cover section, whereby when said cover section is moved it will move the rock shaft and thereby move said valve, a drain connecting said box with a sewer, a by-pass connecting the lower end of said barrel with the drain, a valve adapted to close or open said by-pass, and a connection between said second arm and said by-pass valve, said connection permitting a predetermined limited movement of the second arm without perating the valve, whereby on moving said arm by means of the cover to close said valve in the barrel, said by-pass valve will rst open, and a predetermined time thereafter the barrel valve will close, while when said cover is moved to open the barrel valve, said by-pass valve will close a predetermined time after said barrel valve has begun to open, said system of means connecting said cover and said barrel valve being adjustable, so that closing of the valve simultaneously with the cover may be obtained.

3. A re hydrant comprising a box sunk below the street level, a1; least one hinged cover section for said box, said cover section being substantially flush with the sidewalk, a vertical barrel having a bonnet provided with outlet valves positioned within said box and a valve at its lower end below the frost level and adapted to close the entrance to said barrel, said lower end being connected to a water main, a rock shaft pivotally mounted in the upper end of said barrel, said mounting being watertight, an arm xedly mounted on said rock shaft, a linkage connecting said arm and said valve whereby said valve may be opened or closed, a second arm xedly mounted on said rock shaft, and means connecting said arm and said cover section, whereby when said cover section is moved it will move the rock shaft and thereby move said valve, a drain connecting said box with a sewer, a by-pass connecting the lower end of said barrel with the drain, a valve adapted to close or open said by-pass, and a connection between said second arm and said by-pass valve, said connection permitting a predetermined limited movement of the second arm without operating the valve, whereby on moving said arm by means of the cover to close said valve in the barrel, said by-pass valve will rst open, and a predetermined time thereafter the barrel valve will close, while when said cover is moved to open the barrel valve, said by-pass valve will close a predetermined time after said barrel valve has begun to open, said connection between said second arm and said bypass valve being adjustable, whereby said predetermined limited movement of said second arm may be varied.

4. In combination with a sump below the level of the sidewalk, a hydrant having a barrel below the level of the sidewalk, the upper portion of said barrel extending into said sump and said barrel being connected to a water main, a cover for said sump ush with the sidewalk, an inlet valve in said barrel for controlling the flow of water from said main into said barrel, and means for controlling said valve by movement of said cover.

5. A sump below the level of a sidewalk, a cover for said sump flush with the sidewalk, a hydrant below the level of said sidewalk, said hydrant having a vertically extending barrel connected to a water main at its lower end, and having its upper end extending into said sump, a drain leading from said barrel into said sewer, and means for closing said drain, said means being operable by movement of said cover.

6. A sump below the level of a sidewalk, a cover for said sump ush with the sidewalk, a hydrant below the level of said sidewalk, said hydrant having a vertically extending barrel connected to a water main at its lower end, and having its upper end extending into said sump, a drain leading from said sump into a sewer, a bly-pass leading from said barrel into said drain, and means operable by movement of said cover for closing said by-pass.

7. In a re hydrant disposed below the level of a sidewalk, a. barrel, a valve for controlling the entrance of water from a main into said barrel, a box provided with a cover surrounding the upper part of said hydrant and being adapted to collect leakage therefrom, means for draining off said leakage, a passage connecting said barrel with said draining means, a valve for closing said passage, and a single means adapted for controlling both of said valves whereby when one is closed, the other one will be open, said controlling means being operable by movement of said cover.

8. A re hydrant comprising a box sunk below the street level, a cover for said box substantially flush with the sidewalk, a vertical barrel having a bonnet adjacent its upper end provided with outlet valves positioned within said box and having a valve at its lower end below the frost level and adapted to close the entrance to said barrel, said lower end being connected to a water main, a rock shaft pivotally mounted in the upper end of said barrel, said mounting being watertight, an arm lixedly mounted on said rock shaft, a linkage connecting said. arm and said valve whereby said valve may be opened or closed, a second arm fixedly mounted on said rock shaft, and means for operating said second arm whereby when said arm i-s moved it will move the rock shaft and thereby move said barrel valve and rst arm, a drain connecting said box with a sewer, a bly-pass connecting the lower end of said barrel with the drain, a valve adapted to close or open said by-pass, and a connection between said second arm and said by-pass valve whereby on moving said arm by said operating means therefor, said by-pass valve will rst open, and a predetermined time thereafter the barrel valve will close, while when said arm is moved to open the barrel valve, said by-pass valve will close a predetermined time after said barrel valve has begun to open.

9. A fire hydrant comprising a box sunk below the street level, a cover for said box substantially flush with the sidewalk, a vertical barrel having a bonnet provided with outlet valves positioned within said box and a valve at its lower end below the frost level and adapted to close the entrance to said barrel, said lower end being connected to a water main, a rock shaft pivotally mounted in the upper end of said barrel, said mounting being watertight, an arm xedly mounted on said rock shaft, a linkage connecting said arm and said valve whereby -said valve may be opened or closed, a second arm fixedly mounted on said rock shaft, and means for operating said second arm whereby when said arm is moved it will move the rock shaft and thereby move said barrel valve and rst arm, a drain connecting said box with a sewer, aby-pass connecting the lower end of said barrel with the drain, a valve adapted to close or open said by-pass, and a connection between said second arm and said by-pass valve,

ACIK

whereby on moving said arm by said operating means therefor said lby-pass valve will iirst open, and a predetermined time thereafter the barrel valve will close, while when said arm is moved to open the barrel valve, said by-pass valve will close a predetermined time after said barrel valve has begun to open, said system of operating means for connecting said second arm and said by-pass valve being adjustable so that closing of the barrel valve simultaneously with the operation of the rst arm may be obtained while delaying the time of opening of said by-pass Valve.

10. A iire hydrant comprising a box sunk below the street level, a cover for said box substantially ush with the sidewalk, a vertical barrel having a bonnet provided with outlet valves positioned within said box and a valve at its lower end below the frost level and adapted to close the entrance to said barrel, said lower end being connected to a water main, a rock shaft pivotally mounted in the upper end of said barrel, said mounting being watertight, an arm fixedly mounted on said rock shaft, a linkage connecting said arm and said valve whereby said valve may be opened or closed, a second arm iixedly mounted on said rock shaft, and means for operating said second arm whereby when said arm is moved it will move the rock shaft and thereby move said barrel valve and rst arm, a drain connecting .said box with a sewer, a by-pass connecting the lower end of said barrel with the drain, a valve adapted to close or open said by-pass, and a connection. between said second arm and said by-pass valve, said connection permitting a predetermined limited movement of the second arm without operating the valve, whereby on moving said arm by said operating means therefor, said by-pass valve will iirst open, and a predetermined time thereafter the barrel valve will close, while when said first arm is moved to open the barrel valve, said bypass valve will close a predetermined time after said barrel valve has begun to open, said connection between said second arm and said by-pass valve being adjustable, whereby said predetermined limited movement of said second arm may be varied.

1l. A re hydrant comprising a box sunk below the street level, a cover for said box substantially ilush with the sidewalk, a vertical barrel having a bonnet adjacent its upper end provided with outlet valves positioned within said box and having a valve at its lower end below the frost level and adapted to close the entrance to said barrel, said lower end being connected to a water main, a rock shaft pivotally operable adjacent the upper end of said barrel, an arm xedly mounted on said rock shaft, a linkage connecting said arm and said valve whereby said valve may be opened or closed, connecting means xedly mounted on said rock shaft, and means for operating said connecting means whereby it will move the rock shaft and thereby move said arm and barrel valve, a drain connecting said box with a sewer, a bypass connecting the lower end of said barrel with said sewer, a valve adapted to close or open said by-pa-ss, and a connection between said connecting means of said rock shaft and said by-pass valve whereby on moving said operating means, said by-pass valve will first open, and a predetermined time thereafter the barrel valve will close, while when said arm is moved to open the barrel valve, said by-pass valve will close a predetermined time after said barrel valve has begun to open.

CARLYLE I-I. SCOTT. PAUL H. SCOTT. 

